Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Wednesday with a delegation from
the
Congressional
Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) of the United States led
by Senator Mary Landrieu and Congresswoman Anne Northup.
Jiang welcomed the US visitors most of whom were on their first
visit to China, and he hoped that this visit would enable them to
learn more about China.
Jiang said that the Chinese government has always paid great
attention to the welfare of children
and has made tremendous progress.
China has protected children's rights and interests in the past
through legislation, law- enforcement and the building of the
guarantee system. It has made efforts towards the adoption,
nurture and settlement of orphans and disabled children, noted
Jiang.
He
went on to say that China has also take an active part in
international exchanges and cooperation for the protection and
growth of children, and has forged transnational adoption
cooperation with 15 countries.
Jiang mentioned Sino-US cooperation in this regard and said that
such cooperation has helped promote mutual understanding between
the two nations.
Saying that transnational adoption is also of positive significance
for world peace and development, Jiang said that he hopes that
concerned departments and institutions in China and the US will
strengthen their exchanges and cooperation and do a better job in
this field.
Landrieu said she hoped the US and China, two great nations, will
continue their friendly relations and their cooperation in the
adoption of children, adding that joint cooperation in this regard
is of positive significance to the development of bilateral
relations.
Northup said China's adoption system has set an example to world
countries. She hopes to further bilateral cooperation in children
adoption, which, in her words, can be a bridge to friendship
between the two nations.
(
January 17, 2002)